Combination tool device

ABSTRACT

A COMBINATION TOOL DEVICE READILY DISASSEMBLED INTO COMPACT COMPONENTS FOR POSITIONING IN A BELT-WORN CARRYING POUCH. THE DEVICE COMPRISES AN ELONGATED TUBULAR HANDLE HAVING A STORAGE COMPARTMENT THEREIN FOR PROTECTING MATCHES OR THE LIKE. ALSO PROVIDED ARE CLOSURE MEANS AT ONE END OF SAID HANDLE, A PLURALITY OF ATTACHMENTS SECURABLE AT EITHER END OF SAID HANDLE, ONE OF SAID ATTACHMENTS COMPRISING A COMBINATION AXE-HAMMER HEAD, ANOTHER ATTACHMENT COMPRISES A COMBINATION KNIFE-SAW HEAD.

June 29, 1971 R, L JQNES 3,588,931

COMBINATION TOOL DEVICE Filed July 25, 1969 United States Patent O3,588,931 COMBINATION TOOL DEVICE Richard L. Jones, 2614 E. Routt,Pueblo, Colo. 81004 Filed July 25, 1969, Ser. No. 844,827 Int. Cl. B251?1/02 U.S. Cl. 7-8.1 13 Claims ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE A combinationtool device readily disassembled into compact components for positioningin a belt-worn carrying pouch. The device comprises an elongated tubularhandle having a storage compartment therein for protecting matches orthe like. Also provided are closure means at one end of said handle, aplurality of attachments securable at either end of said handle; one ofsaid attachments comprising a combination axe-hammer head, anotherattachment comprising a combination knife-saw head.

This invention relates to a tool device particularly useful to huntersor the like, having interchangeable head attachments securable to eitherend of a handle.

Although the art is replete with multi-purpose tool devices, such priorart devices are generally bul-ky in construction, cumbersome to use, andrequire excessive storage space. As will be readily appreciated, outdoortools require protection from the elements and yet must be readilyavailable when required; they must be capable of performing multiplefunctions and yet be compact and unobtrusive; they must be effective inuse and yet be lightweight for carrying.

Accordingly, a primary object of the present invention is to provide animproved tool device of efhcient design having the aforementioneddesirable characteristics.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-purposetool device capable of speedy disassembly for positioning in a belt-wornpouch.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a combination tooldevice having a detachable handle with interchangeable attachments, oneof the attachments comprising a combination axe-hammer head and anotherattachment comprising a combination knife-saw head.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a combinationtool device, as aforementioned, having internal storage space forcarrying and protecting small items such as matches or the like.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a combinationtool device, as aforementioned, wherein the head attachments aresecurable to either end of the handle.

These and other objects of this invention will be readily apparent fromthe disclosure and attached specification and from the accompanyingdrawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates the rear portion of the tool device comprising thepresent invention, showing the combination axe-hammer head attachmentsecured to one end thereof;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the tool device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the tool device as shown in FIG. 2;

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate another embodiment of the tool combination ofthe present invention with a combination knife-saw attachment attached;

FIG. 6 is an end view of the handle, showing the closure means providedtherein;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along line7-7 of FIG. 1, illustrating internal storage space provided therein; and

FIG. 8 shows a wrench for operating the handle and shank closure means.

Referring now to the drawing, wherein like numerals indicate likeelements throughout the several views, preferred embodiments of thecombination tool device comprising the subject matter of the presentinvention are generally designated by numerals 10 and 12, eachcomprising a handle 14 to which interchangeable attachments 16, 18 aresecured.

The handle 14 is preferably formed of a rigid tubular material such assteel pipe or the like, and includes an internal storage compartment orcavity 20 which extends the length of the handle, as shown in FIG. 7.Internal pipe threads 22 and 24 are provided at ends 23 and 25 forreceiving closure means. For example, threaded plugs 26 and 28 are used,each having a hexagonal recess in its outer surface for receiving Wrench32`- Preferred embodiment 10, illustrated in FIGS. 1 3, is termed anaxe-hammer combination tool and comprises a head attachment 16 withintegral upper, intermediate and lower portions 40, `42, 44,respectively, disposed perpendicular to the handle. A shank 46 isprovided with male threads 48 at its rearward end for threadableattachment to the handle and a forward end -50 joined to intermediateportion 42 at its inner edge 52, as by Welding or the like. Shank 46 ispreferably formed from a pipe member of any desirable length withinternal pipe threads 49 at its rearward end for receiving plug 96.

Forward end 50 of shank 46 is preferably formed with a generallyU-shaped slot (not shown) for receiving inner edge 52 of intermediateportion `42, after which, the outer portions of the end 50 are attenedor swaged to conform to the head. The additional contacting area thusprovided between the shank and the head results in an exceptionallystrong joint after being joined together as by welding, riveting or thelike.

Upper portion 40 of attachment 16 is generally thicker and of heavierconstruction than either the intermediate or lower portions 42 and 44having a substantially flattened outer surface 60, which is useful forhammering or the like. Surface 60 is substantially rectangular in shapehaving opposing parallel edges 62 and 64 and opposing arcuate edges 66and 68. As best shown in FIG. 3, surfaces 70 and 712 curve inwardly anddownwardly connecting the edges 62 and 64 of the upper portion to theintermediate portion 42, thereby reducing unnecessary weight at that endas well as minimizing the concentration of working stress at 70 and 72.Intermediate portion 42 converges at the lower or fan-shaped portion 44,as shown in FIG. 2. A sharpened edge or blade 74 is provided at itslower edge which is useful for chopping, splitting wood or the like.

Another preferred embodiment 12., illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, istermed a knife-saw combination tool and comprises head attachment 18formed of an enlongated blade member 80. Blade includes an upper edge orknife section 82 sharpened for cutting, and a lower edge or saw section84 provided with a continuous row of teeth for sawing or the like. Knife82 curves downwardly at its forward portion 86, terminating at a point88. Shank connects the blade to the handle. As in the case of shank 46,shank 90 'is provided with a U-shaped slot 91 at its forward end forreceiving the blade which is thereafter iixedly secured thereto. Thefree end 92 is threaded for engagement with either end of the handle.Further, shank 90 may be of any desirable length and may also include astorage compartment, as in shank 46.

In using the combination tool device of the present invention, one mustmerely assemble the various components starting with the handle 14.Indentations I102 provide a slip-free handle both during assembly anduse.

Access to storage compartments 20 and 47 is readily accomplished byinserting the appropriate end of wrench 32 in the recess provided inplugs 26, 28 and 916. Matches, pills, needles, or the like, may then beplaced within the compartments and thereafter sealed prior to assemblyof the head attachment.

If desired, one attachment may be secured to one end and anotherattachment simultaneously secured to the opposite end of the samehandle, thereby giving the user an opportunity to have available all ofthe functions of the tool device, as described.

One of the important features of the present invention is the relativeease by which the device may be assembled for use and disassembled forcompact storage. The components are preferably placed in a belt-wornpouch provided for that purpose and having dimensions approximating 5"Wide, 7 tall and 11/2 deep.

Although not wishing to be bound by any specific dimension disclosedherein, it is to be understood that such dimensions are given forillustrative purposes only. For d example, handle 14 may be formed ofSs" standard steel pipe having an overall length of approximately 6inches. Internal threads, N.P.T., are provided at both ends. Attachments16 and 18 are preferably formed having an overall length ofapproximately 6 inches. The hammering surface 60 of attachment 16approximates 2" by 1". In attachment 18, the blade portion 80 is 4%"long and 1%" wide. Thus, it may be seen that the tool device of thepresent invention is formed of components adapted to be compactlystored.

While preferred embodiments of an improved combination tool have ybeendescribed above, it should be understood that this invention is notlimited in scope to the embodiments described, and variations in theform of the invention are contemplated thereby.

What is claimed is:

1. A combination tool device readily disassembled into compactcomponents and adapted to be stored and carried in a belt-worn pouchcomprising:

(A) an elongated handle including means at both ends for detachablysecuring a shank;

(B) interchangeable tool attachments adapted for use at either end ofthe said handle;

(l) a multi-purpose working head portion, (2) a shank xedly secured tosaid head portion at one end, the other end adapted to be received Qinsaid handle securing means.

2. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said tool includesinternal storage space for small items necessary for outdoor use.

3. A device in accordance with claim 2, wherein said storage space isprovided in the handle and shank.

4. Adevice in accordance with claim 3, wherein said handle and shankinclude closure means for sealing said storage space from theatmosphere.

S. A device in accordance with claim 1, -wherein said handle is atubular element including internal pipe threads at both ends.

6. A device in accordance with claim 5, wherein said handle includes aplurality of transverse notches for finger receiving purposes.

7. A device in accordance with claim S, wherein the length of saidinternal threads at one end is suicient to simultaneously receive both athreadable plug and said shank free end.

8. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein one of saidinterchangeable attachments includes an axe-hammer combination headcomprising:

(A) a thickened upper end portion with a flat outer surface forhammering,

(B) a lower end portion including a sharpened edge for chopping,

(C) an intermediate portion connecting said upper and lower portions,and

(D) a shank fixedly secured to the lower edge of said intermediateportion.

9. A device in accordance with claim 8, wherein said shank includesmeans for receiving the lower edge of said intermediate portion, wherebya strong joint is subsequently effected.

10. A device in accordance with claim 8, wherein said shank includesstorage space having closure means provided at the free end.

11. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein one of saidinterchangeable attachments includes a knife-saw combination headcomprising:

(A) an elongated flat blade,

(l) a sharpened edge along its upper edge portion,

(2) a pluralityof teeth along its lower edge portion for sawing,

(B) a shank ixedly secured to the rear portion of said blade.

12. A device in accordance with claim 11, wherein said upper knife edgeand said lower saw edge converge at the forward portion of said blade.

13. A device Iin accordance with claim 11, wherein said shank includesmeans for receiving the rear portion of said blade whereby a strongjoint is subsequently effected.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 660,204 10/l900 Seelye 7-8.l810,987 1/1906 Spicer 7-8.1X

TRAVIS S. MCGEHEE, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 7-14.1, 15

